Ongoing Studies
The Ch.I.L.D Research Group is always looking for new child scientists to participate in our research. Here are our studies currently looking for participants!
Sound Symbolism and Personality
Research has shown that individuals have inherent preferences for associating specific sounds with particular shapes. However, the reason for this phenomenon is unclear. In this study, we are investigating how children associate various sounds of first names with different alien images, as well as their receptive (hearing) vocabularies. We use computer screens and questionnaires to measure children's matching preferences and vocabulary capacity. Our goal of this study is to better understand the development of associations between first names and their inherent meanings.
This study is looking for new participants!
We are seeking children ages 5 to 7 years who primarily speak English. The study session lasts approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour per child and includes free parking. Afterward, your child will receive a toy prize, t-shirt, and certificate for their contribution.
For inquiries or if you wish to participate, please contact Peggy at peichu.liaw@ucalgary.ca or sign up for our database!
Parent-Child Free-Play Interactions and Word Learning
As infants' language skills develop, they start recognizing speech sounds and patterns, which allows them to add new words to their vocabulary. Previous research has shown that this learning process involves establishing connections between specific words and the objects they represent. However, there has been limited investigation into how different types of parent-child interactions, such as co-viewing, affect a child's ability to learn new words, especially when learning from a video. Additionally, we are interested in understanding how child-parent free-play interactions and interruptions to these interactions impact a child's learning outcomes. In this study, we use non-invasive eye-tracking technology to examine the various contexts in which parent-child interactions influence the learning process.
This study is looking for new participants!
We are recruiting 14- and 18-month-old participants for this in-person study, which will be held at the University of Calgary (with free parking and babysitting provided). Your child will receive a toy prize, a t-shirt, and a certificate for their contribution.
To sign up, please contact selena.kahlert@ucalgary.ca or register for our database!
Vocal Emotional Cues in Unfamiliar Languages
Previous research has shown that children as young as 4-years-old have the ability to use a speaker’s emotional prosody (e.g., happy-sounding voice vs. sad-sounding voice) to guide language processing in their native language – but what about in an unfamiliar language?
We currently have two studies available – one for 4-4.5-year-olds and one for 8-8.5-year-olds – and we are looking for new participants!
In the present studies, we use non-invasive, eye-tracking technology to investigate whether or not young children use emotional prosodic cues in an unfamiliar language.
These studies are being conducted in-person at the University of Calgary, in which we will provide free parking and free babysitting during the study. Your child will receive a toy prize, t-shirt, and certificate for their contribution.
Study for 4-Year-Olds
Children 4 years of age listen to either a happy-sounding or sad-sounding voice speaking in Polish and are asked to match the voice to either a happy- or sad-looking face. Children must speak at least 80% English in the home and have not been previously exposed to the Polish language.
Study for 8-Year-Olds
Children 8 years of age listen to either a happy-sounding or sad-sounding voice speaking in Arabic and are asked to match the voice to either a happy- or sad-looking face. Children must speak at least 80% English in the home and have not been previously exposed to the Arabic language.
Interested?
If your child is either 4-4.5-years-old or 8-8.5-years-old, and you are interested in participating, please contact tyler.birse@ucalgary.ca or sign up for our database!
Can't find what you're looking for?
Sign up for our database to be contacted when we are recruiting for a study your child is eligible for!